Bridgar
thought this was the French establishment, and old Captain Gillam could
not undeceive him. The Hudson's Bay Company governor had sent the two
men back to spy on what he thought was a French fort. At once Radisson
sent out men to capture Bridgar's scouts, who were found half dead with
cold and hunger. The captives reported to Radisson that the English
ship had been totally wrecked in the ice jam. Bridgar's people were
starving. Many traders would have left their rivals to perish.
Radisson supplied them with food for the winter. They were no longer
to be feared; but there was still danger from young Gillam. He had
wished to visit the French fort. Radisson decided to give him an
opportunity. Ben Gillam was escorted down to Hayes River. A month
passed quietly. The young captain had learned that the boasted forces
of the French consisted of less than thirty men. His insolence knew no
bounds. He struck a French servant, called Radisson a pirate, and
gathering up his belongings prepared to go home. Radisson quietly
barred the young man's way.
"You pitiful dog!" said the Frenchman, coolly. "You poor young fool!
Why do you suppose you were brought to this fort? We brought you here
because it suited us! We keep you here as long as it suits us! We
take you back when it suits us!"
Ben Gillam was dumfounded to find that he had been trapped, when he had
all the while thought that he was acting the part of a clever spy.
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